JERRY LEWIS (1926-LIVING)

JOSEPH LEVITCH

Born: March 16th, 1926 (New Jersey)

Died: LIVING

Marriage: Patti Lewis (1944-1982), SanDee Pitnick (1983-Present).

Children: He had six children with his first wife Patti: Gary, Ronald, Scott, Christopher, Anthony & Joseph. With his SanDee they had a daughter named Danielle.

Awards: He was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy Awards in 2009 to add to his seventeen other entertaining achievements. He has also been nominated for an additional eleven other awards.

Interesting Fact: He was a professor at the University of Southern California where he taught a film directing class. Among his students were Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

My Favorite Movie: Without reservation I place "Scared Stiff" (1953) as my favorite Jerry Lewis film. Comedians seem to be funnier when they play a character scared out of their pants, and this movie proves it beautifully. It was a remake of Bob Hopes "Ghost Breakers" (1940) and includes a cameo of him with Bing Crosby at the end of the movie. Both of them were directed by George Marshal and have very few deviations from each other. The real debate is which one is better.

Jerry is a man of a thousand faces. His expressions teamed with his high-pitch voice set him apart from all other comics. Whether he was in a film with Dean, or not, he always gave his all, plus a little extra. He could pull off the incompetent fool and then the untouchable VIP without compromising either one. As a comedian he crossed over into the world of writing, directing & singing. Not unlike other of his trade he has taken his effect on the hearts of the world to the next level through charity, and has become an example for mankind of selfless giving. On a personal note, one of my many middle names is Jerry, and I claim that is in honor of this amazing actor/comedian.

This is my favorite sequence from the film "Scared Stiff."

"Myron, MYRON!"

Here is another favorite of mine, the Pantomime typewriter.

Here are Jerry's words on the split up of him and Dean.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FILM?